CD Reviews

Long-time Love Affair

Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 02/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At this stage I thought I'd decided not to review old Coltrane albums anymore since it's so late, as they all have alot of reviews and what more need be said? Recently reviewing the much newer My Favorite Things: Coltrane at Newport and One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note made me change my mind. With the repugnant taste of '65 McCoy Tyner fresh in my mind, I needed to find solace in this '66 Coltrane where he is surrounded by artists who get what he was after.

I have 1 quibble with this album. It's not long enough. I wish this were 1966's 4-disc reply to The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings. Yes we have Live In Japan but these are very different sorts of performances.

This is my co-favorite Naima of all time along with the 1 from Eric Dolphy's true last date, 6/11/64 (a show that towers above the falsely named, officially released Last Date from about a month earlier). Pharoah is the heart and soul of this Naima. He turns inward, scouring and caressing the strata of emotions available to him. I'll never understand why he's attacked for not being "melodic". He is melodic... sometimes. Also, when he's not it's because he is more concerned with feeling, sound, timbre and tone than he is with telling a conventional "story" via Sonny Rollinsesque melodic variation. Just because a poem doesn't rhyme doesn't mean it's not a great poem.

Alice and Pharoah are 2 huge reasons why '66 live Coltrane is so compelling. I certainly wouldn't have been able to deal with another year of McCoy and Elvin being more and more out of place with each passing performance. Alice's touch is so gentle and open. She and Pharoah are so tuned in to what makes me tick. There's no time on this disc where he strikes me as anything less than beautiful and brilliant. Pharoah here is the one who really comes across as singing, yearning, feeling and Being through his horn though to be fair, John's 2nd solo in My Favorite Things tops those of the aforementioned '65 albums.

I've had this cd for 10 or 11 years and listened to this Naima more than any other. Most recently I listened to this album 40 minutes ago and it still pulls me in and will not let go. This is a peak moment in time from 1 of John's best bands."

Take Some Time To Adjust Your Ears

Talking Wall | Queen Creek, AZ | 01/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an amazing CD. I put off purchasing it for a long time because I thought it was going to be so far out that it would just sound like noise to me. It's very beautiful actually, including those de-constructionist solos by Pharoah Sanders. One cannot approach this music the same way one might approach a release like Giant Steps or Favorite Things... or even A Love Supreme for that matter. The new listener has to be patient and willing to engage in repeat listenings in order for this to sink in - especially if you are a musician. I don't pretend to understand everything that's going on in this music (even though I am a semi-pro jazz player myself). This music will challenge you to put aside your expectations and your conditioning on what sounds pleasing. If you can do that, then eventually this music becomes a very enjoyable experience."

Even Better

David Thierry | Chicago, IL United States | 04/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just two songs here more deeply and profoundly explored. Lots of beauty in my favorite version of My Favorite Things. Coltrane said he never got tired of playing it as each time new things opened up. More lyrical despite Pharoah Sanders intensity."